Death of Gay Man Causes Public Health Warning in LA
Following the death of a gay man who had been diagnosed with meningitis, officials in West Hollywood, California, are warning members of the public – and homosexuals in particular – to protect themselves against meningococcal infection, an illness caused by a bacteria or virus that can, evidently, be fatal.
Last week, City Councilman John Duran held a news conference alongside Chris Brown, director of health and mental health for the LA Gay and Lesbian Centre, to sound an alarm as to how the meningococcal infection can affect sexual health and overall wellbeing. It was at this conference that Duran noted the 33-year-old gay man had been diagnosed with meningitis two days prior, and then was hospitalized and fell into a coma. The man, who died Friday afternoon, had attended an annual Palm Springs event known as the White Party, which draws thousands of gay men from across the US.
At the news conference, Duran commented, ‘If this resident was in fact in attendance at the White Party, it raises the issue, so we want to get the word out to any gay men that were at the White Party, that if they have any of these symptoms, go see their physician immediately.’ While Duran explained that he didn’t want to be alarmist, he also pointed out that it’s wise to put gay men and others on alert for signs of the disease, which can initially resemble nothing more dangerous to your wellness than the flu. If you think you have been exposed, Dr. Maxine Liggins, area medical director for the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, recommended that you watch for a stiff neck, fever, headache, sometimes a rash, and generally not feeling well.
As to the cause of the infection, Duran surmised that this case in West Hollywood may be from a similar bacterial meningitis strain that circulated among gay men in New York City. As a result of this outbreak, 22 people have been infected and seven have been killed since 2010. However, according to the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health officials, a direct connection between the Los Angeles-area case and the New York City strain has not yet been confirmed. Duran added that the officials don’t want to cause panic, but, in order to avoid the delays in response to AIDS 30 years ago, are taking an active stance.
On the day that the gay 33-year-old died, the Equinox fitness club on Sunset Boulevard in West Hollywood sent a notice to its members that a person who used the facility had been diagnosed with bacterial meningitis. The email explained, ‘The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health has assured us that there is virtually no risk of exposure in a health club setting. We are notifying you to let you know that Equinox members and staff are safe, we have taken all necessary safety precautions and we will continue to do everything we can to guarantee our members have the best fitness experience possible.’
Meningococcal disease can have a severe impact and your health. While it starts from seemingly innocuous flu-like symptoms, rashes and a stiff neck, it can progress very quickly. Hence, health officials assert that it is crucial you are diagnosed and treated as early as possible. If you catch the infection early enough, it can be treated and often cured with a simple course of antibiotics. According to the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), infections from the bacteria can be spread from person to person through respiratory and throat secretions and are common in close quarters in which people are kissing, having sex or sharing food.
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